David’s grandmother, Mema, died.  Her memorial service is today.  I did not know Mema till the last thirteen years of her one hundred year life.  During those thirteen years she lived alone in her pristine apartment, with her dog.  She wrote us notes and compiled two books of her wisdom.  She prayed for us and asked us the right questions as we went overseas.   She inspired us with her life and with her heart.  While most people grow more cantankerous or domineering or controlling as they grow older, she simply grew more SWEET.   I recognize much of her strong  beauty in my steadfast, kind and compassionate husband.  My simple, silly verse below can not honor her holy life well.  Yet I hope you get a glimpse into her way of living.  A way of life that was about seeing each bush aflame with sacredness.  She did not waste time eating blackberries.

Mema

Serene Woman
Beautiful
With her blond/silver finely coiffed hair, always neat

Delicate Steel
Immovable
Somehow soft enough to hug, and strong enough to lean on

Thoughtful Silence
Pondering
Sure of what she knew to be true, yet always ready to listen and learn

True Seer
Touching us
Each of us is the most important person in the world when we speak, to her

Informed Compassion
Interested
She always knew more about aid and politics and world events than I did

Steadfast Gardener
Every bud and sprig and branch well tended
Her plumeria’s bloomed
So did we

Buffy’s friend
Constant
In their mutual words and endless silences, we saw her heart

Thoughtful Writer
Careful
Composing paragraphs meant to unite, writing memoirs to remind

Reverend Enid
Pioneer
Leading in the church with the utmost wisdom and humility

Quiet Wisdom
Improving
She grew ever more herself, ever more true and real and SWEET

Mema’s Maker
Honored
By each simple sacred act of this deeply sacred Soul

I love you, Mema